Crews Reach 80 Percent Containment in Fight Against Brush Blaze Near South San Jose

Firefighters on Tuesday continue to monitor a brush fire in the foothills east of South San Jose that previously prompted evacuations and road closures, according to fire officials. Bob Redell reports.

The blaze, which has been dubbed the Felipe Fire, is burning in the area of Metcalf and San Felipe roads, and has scorched at least 70 acres as of 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire. At that time, the fire was 80 percent contained.

An exact cause of the fire is not yet known, but Cal Fire officials are looking at an abandoned car left on San Felipe Road that has since been torched by the flames.

People along Metcalf Road said they received a reverse 911 call telling them to get ready as the fire torched the hills in their direction. One of those residents rushed home when she received the notification.

"I got in my car and came up to rescue my pets and elderly father," resident Nicole Gillette said. "There's been times during the year where we've had to hose off our front yard because we've had a fire right behind the hill up here. So it's scary of course when you've got your pets and your family."

More than 150 fire personnel were dispatched to the area Monday out of fear that the fire could spread to 500 acres. Four planes and two helicopters dropped water and flame retardant to stop the flames from progressing.